Artificial eye



y 21 1 E. D4 CLARKE Em- 2,7 57

ARTIFICIAL EYE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1950 ff M, u M

May 21, 1957 E. D. CLARKE ETAL ARTIFICIAL EYE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledOct. 5, 1950 \NVENTORS 10 0M f E. D. CLARKE EI'AL ARTIFICIAL EYE FiledOct. 5, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 21, 1957 FIE E4 INVENTOR I FIEEE FusjiUnited States Patent ARTIFICIAL EYE Eric D. Clarke and Robert B. Clarke,Cleveland, Ohio Application October 5, 1950, Serial No. 138,602 12Claims. (11. 3-13 This invention relates to improvements in artificialeyes, and more particularly to those used by humans to replace one losteye, under which condition the artificial eye must match in every detailthe remaining human eye in respect to appearance and movement thatcorresponds with that of said human eye.

This application is a carrying forward by way of improvements in thesubject matter of copending applications of previous applications ofEric D. Clarke, Ser. No. 546,763, filed-July 27, 1944 (now Patent No.2,673,984, issued April 6, 1954); Ser. No. 678,975, filed June 24, 1946(now Patent No. 2,634,423, issued April 14, 1953) and Ser. No. 737,816,filed March 28, 1947 (now Patent No. 2,675,561, issued April 20, 1954),all relating to artificial eyes and methods pertaining to making sucheyes and matching them with remaining human eyes.

The last two of the applications hereinbefore referred to are partlydirected to the employment of an artificial eye constructed to affordthe optical illusion of a dilating pupil member. In all of the saidapplications depth of iris and pupil have been striven for.

In artificial eye technique, the matching of the iris of the eye is anintricate task, because the addition of the customarily used transparentmember in front of the iris creates changes of appearance of the iriscolor when viewed from different angles; also the efiect of the iriscolor is changed to a certain extent by the iris being placed in arecess of the sclera, and likewise the action of the eyelids whichpartly cover the iris tends to causedifferent shadings of the coloringof the iris when the artificial eye is disposed in the eye socket, asdistinguished from the coloring of the iris when the eye is held in thehand. The shading action of the eyelid is different in different peopledue to the extent to which the iris may be covered by the lid, theaction being somewhat similar to that of window shades in a room, whenopen or partly drawn, effecting a change in the color shades ofdecoration of the room, dependent upon the extent of opening of suchshades. In the development of our present invention the foregoingproblems of difliculty in the production of the iris part of theartificial eye are taken especially into consideration with a view toovercoming such difiiculty as has been experienced in the past in theproduction and emplacement of the artificial eye in the human eyesocket.

In the carrying out of the present invention we have endeavored toimprove the technique of a muscle attachment phase of the use ofartificial eyes, especially in regard to the saving of unreplaceabletissue so thatthe latter will not be lost in subsequent operations foreffecting other muscle attachment, should they later become necessary.

Our invention of this application is a carrying forward of theinventions and development of the previously identified applications, byutilizing certain improvements and effectuating certain objects thatwill appear more fully hereinafter when pointed out.

A further object of our invention is to produce an ,ing the surgeon more2,792,573 Patented May 21, 1957 ice individual eye or custom-madeartificial eye from standardized, separate precision made units, whichlatter are adapted to be manufactured on a production basis, therebylowering the cost when produced at a centralized plant under thedirection of those skilled in the art, the foregoing enabling widedistribution of the standardized separately made units to persons whoneed only skill in the art of fitting and color matching an artificialeye with a natural eye, with the actual eye parts or units assembled anddisposed in the eye socket of the lost eye of a customer. The abovemethod of producttion and distribution of eye units for artificial eyesof our invention is such that a customer who requires an artificial eyecan go to a city or place in or near his home and obtain a completeartificial eye made up of carefully selected parts taken from arelatively small amount of stock, the eye parts being interchangeableincident to connecting and assembly or detachment operations. The personwho performs the fitting and color matching of the eye therefore doesnot have to be an artist or plastic expert and requires for hisparticular work no molds or heat and pressure machinery. In fact the eyefitter and matcher requires little technical knowledge and skill inplastics, having in mind that the parts or units of the artificial eyeproposed by our invention are preferably made from acrylic resins, and afast-acting solvent makes it feasible to laminate without theapplication of heat or use of molds;

Another object of our invention hereof has been to place in the hands ofthe surgeon performing the operation a novel form of implant that can beinserted into the socket for the suturing of the rectus muscles, wherebythe surgeon has more room to work in his operative procedure in the veryrestricted area established by the ordinary eye socket of a human being.

Another object of our present invention is to place in the hands of theoperating surgeon for artificial eye procedure an implant havingprovisions whereby the tension of the rectus muscle connected to theimplant can be adjusted after performance of the original operation.

Still another object of our present invention has been to produce aconstruction of implant for the operating surgeon, which implant enablesthe rectus muscles to be attached on the anterior side of the implant,thus affordroom for his operative procedure in the very restricted areain which he has to work, and also enabling the muscles connected to theimplant to be adjusted in respect to their tension, after the operation,as well as at the time of such operation.

Another object of our invention has been to produce a novel constructionof implant, for emplacement in the 'sclera, the implant permitting thesuturing to be performed on the anterior side thereof.

A further object of our present invention has been to provide a form ofimplant enabling the surgeon employing the same to suture the T enonscapsule and bulbar conjunctiva on the anterior side of the implant.

Another object of our invention has been to produce an implant forartificial eyes which, when in place, enables the anterior part of the Tenons capsule to be sutured inwardly over the outer rim of the implant,to prevent the implant from being extruded.

A further object of our invention hereof has been to produce a novelconstruction of an implant formed of a main posterior body of somewhator partial ball form, the same provided with an open front portion ofskeletonlike structure, which enables surgical procedure to be performedwithin the body of the implant by instruments to be introduced throughthe front skeleton-like portion of said implant.

Another object of our present invention has been to produce an implantfor artificial eyes adapted to carry an eye prosthesis and which implantis made up of a body section and a front separate rim and spoke section,the latter providing a skeleton-like structure. The said rim and spokesectionis especially designed with provisions whereby it may beconnected to the eye prosthesis, and peculiar features are provided forenabling special adjustment of the eye prosthesis upon the anterior rimand spoke section referred to, all as will be more fully disclosedhereinafter.

Still another feature of our invention resides in supplying on aproduction basis a simplified three-dimensional iris and pupil member orunit that will not cast shadows, and wherein radial iris color lines andconcentric folds or ruffles are provided in suitable depth of variouscolor tints, all to the end of providing for perfect or naturalisticappearance of the artificial eye utilizing the unit, especially asrespects the matching of a remaining human eye.

Another object of our invention has been to produce a simplified form ofprosthesis affording an optical illusion of a dilating pupil memberwhich operates to afford a varying dilating effect under differentdegrees of light, and in which an opaque pupil is placed considerably inrear of the translucent colored iris, or omitted, the said dilatingpupil being so made that it apparently increases in size when light isdiminished, and vice versa.

. Another object of the present invention has been to produce anartificial eye eliminating the forming of a contrasting color ringappearing at the point of the joinder of the iris with the sclera, andinstead effecting the blending of the color areas of the iris and sclerafor effective matching of the natural eye by the artificial eye beingfitted and color matched at the particular time. 1

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a scleraunit having a recess therein for receiving a selectable detachablyinterchangeable iris unit which is positioned behind a transparent outermember in such a manner that there is no appearance of color change inthe iris produced by the magnification of the outer memher after thesclera and iris units are unified With the transparent member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an iris unit for aneye prosthesis in which there will be no fogging lines or area due tothe employment of separate composite portions or members or materialssuch as glass, paint, printed sections, decalcomania elements, orphotographic film, and one in which plastic material covers the irisunit and coloring material is employed integral with the said plasticmaterial.

Another object of the invention is to provide an iris unit affordingdepth of iris color wherein the light absorption and reflections arebalanced as in the natural eye, by providing each successive posteriorlayer of material of such unit of lesser transparency, thus blending thelight absorption and reflection.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a simplifiedmethod of protruding and aligning the artificial eye with the naturaleye of the person using the artificial eye.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eye prosthesis in whichthe pupil member has the closest possible simulation with respect to thepupil of the natural eye, wherein the pupil is a transparent hole in theiris and appears black due to the lack of color and light in the back ofthe eyeball.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an artificial eyethat can be used as an ordinary artificial 'eye which is usually notmovable simultaneously with the natural eye, or which may be associatedwith another standardized unit manufactured by precision methods of theinvention, so as to be movable in the same manner as incident to themovement of the natural eye.

Still another object of the invention hereof is the provision of animplant having substantially the size and shape of the posterior part ofthe ocular structure which it is to replace, with provisions whereby thesaid implant, along with the prosthesis mounted thereon may be made moreor less protuberant when the complete artificial eye is mounted in thenatural eye socket in which it is held. Thus having in mind that theimplant is connected to the muscles of the natural eye, in the case ofadhesion failure developing the abnormal protrusion of the prosthesisdue to such failure may be rectified from the anterior face of theimplant, and, in addition, inspections of the adhesions can be made inlike manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide an implant that is simplein design, in different sizes and forms, with slight modifications,whereby the implant may be used after enucleation or after eviscerationby employing many different methods of operative procedure ofimplantation, whereby the eye tissues, after suturing, lie in a planesuch that the severed tissues can heal with ad hesion in order to holdthe implant in place. If for any reason the implant does not have goodstatic and dynamic balance, provisions are made according to thisinvention for adjustment in reference to such balance without surgery, amatter of tangible advantage to the patient and the surgeon who hasperformed the operative surgery previously.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a shellimplant that is structurally strong but light in weight, so that noundue strains are placed on the connective eye tissues, which mightcause a failure in the suturing, or fatigue on the attached eye muscles.

For the purpose of disclosing our invention as clearly as possible, inthe accompanying drawings certain figures are shown which areexaggerated or enlarged more than others in order to bring out thestructural characteristics of the units making up the prosthesis, andthe implant members of the artificial eye. The term lens as used in thisspecification refers to a structure simulating the cornea and aqueoushumor of the natural eye when said lens simulating structure is moldedas a single unit, but, by reason of its shape, acts as a magnifyinglens. Also, in the drawings, the eye socket and muscles and associatedportions of the eye anatomy are not depicted with absolute accuracy andare primarily shown for illustrative purposes only.

No precise technique of operative surgery employed for the purposes ofour invention is intended to be presented herein, for, in respect to mayphases, such surgery is beyond our knowledge or province, being withinthe knowledge and skill of surgeons practicing in the particular fieldof eye surgery. Therefore, to a large extent, the surgical techniquemust necessarily depend upon and vary according to the skill, knowledgeand experience of the particular surgeon performing the optical surgery,our main objective being to place in the hands of the surgeon certainartificial eye parts which may be avaiiable to constitute parts of thenew artificial eye at the time of enucleation or evisceration, or at alater date when the eye socket containing such artificial eye may againbe required to be opened.

For a full understanding of our present invention, as respects thedetails of construction and the method of use proposed, reference ismade to the following specification describing different modifications,in conjunction with the acompanying drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a complete artificial eye according toour invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the eye structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken about on the line 33 ofFigures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the outer transparent membershown in the previously mentioned figures.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the translucent sclera member.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the combined .membersshown inFigures 4 and 5 forming a sclera unit,

1n its condition ready to receive the iris unit as shown in Figure 13,for detachable connection in the recess of the sclera unit, as used forcolormatching.

Figure 7 is a posterior view of the anterior iris member, showing theradially extending identations formed in the colored transparent plasticbody of the iris member, which indentations are filled with a darkercolored plastic.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the iris member as shown inFigure 7, taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front view of the posterior iris member showing theirregular concentric folds or rufiles which are depressions orindentations, formed in the colored translucent plastic, said'ruffiesbeing filled with a lighter colored plastic.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of the iris member shown inFigure 9, taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the transparent pupil member,adapted to fit in the pupil opening as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Figure 12 is a front elevation of the transparent pupil member of Figure11.

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view of the combined iris and pupilunit and composed of the parts of Figures 7 to 12 inclusive.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view of the temporarily combined partsof the artificial eye, as used for color matching, employing the unitsshown in Figures 6 and 13.

Figure 15 is a view in front elevation of an artificial eye shellimplant showing details of its construction.

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of Figure15, showing the shell implant construction more clearly.

Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the muscle pin hook.

Figure 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the aligning andprotuberant control washer, such as used between the artificial eye orprosthesis, and the implant unit or shell.

Figure 19 is a vertical sectional view of the shell implant unit showingthe implant in the Tenons capsule of the eye socket, with the rectusmuscles looped around the muscle pin hook and sutured upon themselvesfor adhesion to themselves, the muscle pin hook being detachably hookedto the spokes of the anterior part of the implant for adjusting thetension of the muscles, dependent upon the particular grooved portion orportions of the implant spokes with which the pin hooks may beinterengaged. Also in this figure, the bulbar conjunctiva, and theanterior part of the Tenons capsule, are sutured in place for adhesionto themselves.

Figure 20 is a rear elevation of the prosthesis unit showing themounting or connecting pin by which the prosthesis is detachably mountedon the implant unit at the anterior section or portion of the latter.

Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view of the artificial eye, as whencut down to fit in front of the implant, with the connecting pinextending from the said eye unit, and the aligning and protuberancecontrolling washer shown in Figure 18 disposed in a position surroundingthe mounting pin. In this figure there is also depicted the manner inwhich the eyelids partly cover and shade the iris in the natural eyesockets.

Figure 22 is a vertical sectional view of, a modification of combinedmembers.

Figure 23 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of combinedmembers.

Figure 24 is a vertical unit as seen in Figure 23.

Figure 25 is a vertical sectional view of another modification of irisunit adapted to be detachably connected in a sclera unit such as shownin Figure 22.

Figure 26 is a vertical sectional view of the combined units of Figure23, with a modification of the form of sectional view of the sclera 6the mounting or connecting pin as shown in and 21.

Figure 27 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the implantshell, showing the implant in the Tenons capsule of the eye socket, withthe rectus muscles extending over the anterior rim of the implant andlooped around the graduated spoke members and sutured upon themselvesfor natural healing by adhesion.

Figure 28 is a vertical sectional and perspective view of a modificationof the shell implant showing the implant in the sclera of the eyesocket, with the anterior parts of the sclera and Tenons capsule bent orextending over the anterior rim of the implant, with the bulbarconjunctiva extending inwardly of said outer rim of the implant andsutured together under the spokes of the implant for adhesion tothemselves.

As outlined in the fore part of this specification, this invention isdirected, in one of its primary phases, to the making of artificial eyeson a production basis, into units, for later assembly and combining bypersons who may not be skilled in the art of eye making, or may not beartists of color technique, but who are skilled in the art of fitting,altering, and color matching artificial eyes.

Figures 20 The invention is also, of course, designed to place in thehands of a surgeon an implant that will make his operation moresuccessful and more easily performed with the likelihood of superiorresults as compared with techniques employing artificial eye partsheretofore proposed.

The drawings comprising Figures 1 to 28 annexed hereto show thestandardized precision made parts of our invention, and while noparticular materials will necessarily have to be used in the carryingout of the invention, it has been found that thermoplastic materialshave proved superior in most respects for the purposes of our invention.Such materials are especially adapted to precision molding on aproduction basis. Furthermore, while this invention is not limited toany certain molding meth ods, it is contemplated, according to theinvention, that the injection and compression molding techniques shallpreferably be utilized, especially because the injection method is aprocess of molding thermoplastic material at a production rate seldomequalled by any other method used in the plastic industry. Also, ingeneral, the materials used, those of a plastic nature, in the injectionor compression processing, undergo no chemical change during molding,and this advantage is necessary and desirable, having in view theconstruction of the artificial eye provisions that form our invention,since the slightest of chemical changes might undesirably afiect theappearance factors which are desired to be obtained in securing theutmost faithfulness in the simulation of the colors of the natural eyein producing the artificial eye parts of our invention. Compressionmolding techniques, as known in the art today, may be utilizedalternatively with the injection molding method within the contemplationof this invention.

T he various parts of the artificial eye prosthesis and implant unit orunits of different modifications as proposed herein are intended to bemade in different sizes and colors, also diiferent color patterns, andthen assembled into the units that are to be finally employed for thepurposes thereof, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The prosthesis shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings comprises anoff-white translucent or opaque sclera 1 which can be made of varioustints to match those of the sclera of the human eye, and a transparentcovering 2, and these parts, as a unit, may be cut down so as to alterthe shape to fit a particular individual eye socket, somewhat after themanner which is illustrated in Figure 21.

The sclera 1 is provided with suitable vein lines 3 which may be in theform of rayon fibers embedded between the sclera 1 and the transparentcovering 2. The vein lines 3 are formed into difierent patterns in thedifierent sizes and difierent color units comprising the parts 1 and 2kept in stock; It will be noted that the transparent covering 2 isthickened on the anterior side, and centrally or slightly eccentricallyin order to form the lens 4, thus making a continuous covering withoutany joint. On the posterior side of the lens 4 is, located the irismember 5, which has an opening for a pupil member 6 and which may beprovided with a black coating 6A on its posterior side to simulate thepupil. The oblique joint between the pupilopening of the iris member 5and the pupil member .6, or in other words the surface of the jointportion, may be provided with a black coating 13 to better effectuatethe obtaining of a dilating pupil illusion of action in darker colorediris or iris members, this depending somewhat upon the degree oftransparency of the iris member 5.'

Figures 4, 5 and 6 disclose the manner in which the combined sclera 1and its covering 2 having the lens portion 4 are formed as individualmembers and combined into a single unit. These units will preferably bemade in about four sizes so as to avoid much alteration. The iris-variesin size, and about five sizes of the iris members would normally besuflicient to be kept in stock. The foregoing phases of constructionwould afiord certain variations in the size of the lens 4 circumference,and also of the iris recess 7 in the sclera 1. Thus it will be seen thatWe have many patterns of vein lines 3, with many olf-white tints ofsclera 1, and also five different iris sizes altogether, thus makingavailable many hundreds of sclera units to provide a large selection forthe person doing the fitting and matching work, to chose from.

The members shown in Figures 4 and 5 are preferably precision'molded inpolished molds by the injection method as previously referred to, andthen the sclera member, as shown in Figure 5, has the vein lines 3placed thereon, whereupon the transparent covering member 2 may beplaced over the member 1 and the two members united by compressionmolding as previously described. Or, in the alternative, a solvent forthe plastic can be applied between the members 1 and 2-4 after whichthese members may be united by weight or pressure applied thereto toprovide the unit of Figure 6.

The above described unit is now ready for shipment and color matchingwith respect to the natural sclera of a human eye, and, as previouslyindicated, it may be cut down to fit the natural eye socket, anoperation which can be performed, obviously, without any special degreeof eye making skill or the employment of molds or the like.

It is to be noted that the two members 1 and 2, if desired, could beshipped in separated condition, and the vein lines 3 applied to themember 1 at the time of the fittingand matching, and then the members 1and 2 united by a solvent in the manner previously outlined. Accordingto the last plan of use, the number of sclera members 1 required to bekept in stock would be cut down materially.

The parts which are shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, also Figure ll, arepreferably precision molded in polished molds by the injection method,previously referred to. The iris member 5 is made of preferablytransparent, integrally pro-colored plastic and is a thin disclike part.Said member is provided with radial indentations 8 on its posteriorside, which indentations are filled with a darker, transparent ortranslucent integrally precolored plastic. The members like that shownin Figures 7 and 8 are made in various color combinations, and theindentations 8 can be filled by mixing a suitable solvent with apro-colored plastic to about the consistency of paint, and wiping suchplastic into the indentation 8, and, if desired, wiping said plasticover the posterior face of the iris member being described. This methodof making the iris member of Figures 7 and 8 would not require muchskill and could be rapidly done, or, if desired, the precoloredmaterialwiped onto the posterior surface of the which iris members canbe lucency to opaqueness, in articles of the nature enough, and atranslucent plastic body said membermay be omitted until a later'stageortime as will be hereinafter explained. Y

The iris member of Figures 7 and 8 is the anterior member of theirisunit and is transparent, as stated, so that depth of iris color'can beseen in the indentations 8. The material wiped into the indentations 8of the anterior iris member described willblend into the body color ofthe iris disc or member structure so that there will-not be muchcontrast of color tint at adjacent edges because the solvent willcontain coloring which will penetrate the preformed body member or discstructure.

In Figures 9 and IQ of the drawings we have illustrated the posteriormember of the iris unit 5, and this member is molded in the mannerpreviously indicated, using translucent pre-colored plastic. It isformed with an irregular anterior surface providing concentric folds orruflles 9 which are depressions or indentations, and which are filledwith lighter colored translucent or opaqueintegral- 1y pre-coloredplastic. ,The posterior member of Figures 9 and 10, for the iris unit,is made in various colored combinations, from pre-colofed translucentplastic, the folds or ruffie's 9'being filled by mixing a solvent with alighter colored translucent or opaque pro-colored plastic to about theconsistency of paint, and again using the technique, previouslymentioned, of wiping such material into the folds or rufiles 9. On theother hand, if desired, the application to or filling of the pre-coloredplastic in paint condition respecting the indentations or ruflies 9 is astep which may be omitted until a later time, as will be explainedhereinafter.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that we have, in respect to theiris unit, two pre-formed iris members of different color tints, havingindentations and ditferent color tinted material in the indentations ofboth of them, combined 'to make iris units of different colorcombinations, and which said iris members may also be made on aproduction basis. Moreover,

'the depth of the dilferent iris colors of the unit provide for ablending effect because the iris coloring material is disposed insubstantially a single plane whereby to avoid the possibility of shadowsbeing cast when the pants are combined.

It will be understood that color, plus thickness of material, changestransparency to translucency, and transof the present invention. Thus anintegrally pre-colored transparent plastic can become translucent ifthickness is increased can become opaque under like conditions. Thisprinciple of color variation will generally apply in reverse, althoughit may not have suflicient stability in itself, but, by combining withother plastics of greater transparency, stability may be obtained. Thereversal can be obtained also by light or color on the posterior side ofthe member, the absence of color or light on the posterior side havingan opposite optical effect. All of the above combinations are used inthis invention, as will be pointed out later.

The iris members or parts shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 willpreferably be made in about four sizes, and these sizes will varyaccording to the size of the iris hole '7 in the sclera 1, see Figure 6.The pupil member 6 also varies in size so the pupil hole or opening 10of the iris unit will preferably be made in about four sizes somewhatcorresponding in size to the size of the entire iris unit 5 as found inthe eyes of different human beings.

Figures 11, 12, and 13 illustrate how the iris unit 5 and transparentpupil member 6 are made and assembled into a unit, and the member 6 willbe observed to be in the form of the frustrum of a cone, having thehandle portion 11 to aid in the manipulation of the iris unit 5 when theparts are being assembled or disassembled, or when the iris and pupilunits are being handled as a combined unit. The member 6 is molded bythe injection mo din m hod-p ou fi te t 5 made in 5 191 of the iris unitand the sclera 1 is Figures 7 to 12 inclusive, into the unit structuredisclosedin Figure 13, bycompression molding, or with solvent applied tothe joint portions between the parts, then assembling them and thenapplying a Weight or pressure to obtain the proper effective adhesion.Also such members maybe" joined by applying pre-colored plastic afterthe mannerof use described in the filling of the indentations'ordepressions 8 and 9, and, in'the alternative, the transparent pupilmember 6 may have a black or other colored plastic 13,- see Figure 11,such as used to fill the indentations 8 and 9, as a means for forming ajoint between the annular surface of the member 6 and the wall ofthe'opening 10, where the member 6 joins to the iris unit.

Figure 13 illustrates the iris unit 5 and the pupil member 6 ready forshipment and color matching with the. a natural eye when suitablycomiris and pupil parts of bined with the prepared sclera 1 as shown inFigure 6. As previously stated, the parts are adapted to be shipped toremote places where they can be assembled into a complete artificialeye, after the following manner: When acustomer comes in to obtain anartificial eye, a sclera member 1 of suitable size and color assembledwith its covering parts 2 and 3, as shown in Figure 6, with proper veinlines and an iris unit of suitable size, are selected. The sclera unitcan be cut down to alter it to fit the eye socket, then the iris andpupil members, as shown in Figure 13, of a size to fit the iris recess7, will be selected for color. It will be noted that the iris unit.5will be either more or less intense in color efiect when placed'in backof the lens 4, due to magnification. It is detachably inserted into theopening 7 by using the handle 11 for manipulation, and it will be foundthat the molded parts, being precision made, will fit snugly enough forcolor matching. The combined artificial eye will now be in the conditionsomewhat as illustrated in Figure Hand is ready to be placed in thenatural eye socket for color matching under natural conditions ofartificial eye use. It may be found that when the artificial eye is inthe eye socket, a color change in the iris unit may take place due tothe amount of shading in the eyelids which cover a portion of the irisunit 5, thus tending to darken the color of the latter. This shading ordarkening of color effect is different'in different people, and it mustbe dealt with in order to obtain a true matching of the color parts ofthe eye when placed in the eye socket alongside the natural remaininghuman eye. if the first selection of parts in the color matchingoperation not satisfactory, another iris unit 5, or sclera unit 1 may beselected and the handle 11 ofthe pupil member 6 forms a ready means forfacilitating separation of the first combined unit and inserting andassembling other combinations of such units to be used in the colormatching operation. If a suitable sized sclera 1 is not available, alarger one can be cut down and altered to fit the eye socket. Afterproper matching and fitting has been achieved so that the person doingthe fitting and matching is satisfied that he has obtained an assemblyof parts of an artificial eye which will practically duplicate in coloreffect the appearance of the natural eye, the several parts of theobtained and finally selected artificial eye may be joined together byusing a solvent for the plastic, placed around the oblique joint 12, seeFigure 3, between the. sclera 1 and the iris unit 5. It will be notedthat a mergingof the colors of the iris 5 and the sclera 1 takes placedue to the oblique disposition of the joint portion designated at 12,and the different colors in the iris unit 5 over which the sclera 1 andmembers 2 and 4 lie. 'T he handle 11 can be twisted to better seat andassist in the blending of the color areas after the said solvent isapplied to combined with the transparent the parts for their finaljoining. This. is due tothe slight softening of the intermix, tosecurecolor blending.

At times-a better matchingiris unit can 'be'obtained bythe addition of acircular sheet of black or other colored plastic designated 6A; as seenin having a central opening and being adapted to be ior side of theirisunit temporarily applied to the poster to be satisfactory anddesirable for the color matching, the same may be permanently of theiris unit by means of a suitable solvent.

The color matching operation completed, the handle.

6 if the prosthesis can be used without employing such black coloringandis found satisfactory in its absence. When and if it is found requiredthat black coloring be employed'atthe inner end of the pupil member 6, asmall circular sheet of black plastic material 6D ofa size to cover theposterior side. of the. member 6 can'be added by the use of solvent.

Figure 22 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of a combinedprosthesis unit wherein the translucent sclera 1A has a transparentcovering 2A and formed with a hole having outwardly tapered side walls12A, constituting the sclera unit. The other unit of the prosthesisofthis modification is composed of a-transparent cornea member 28 andatransparent lens member 29,

the latter having on its posterior face the simulation of shown inFigures 7 and 8 has been eliminated, and the.

filled indentations 8A are similar to the identations 8 of Figures 7 and8 and have been formed in the transparent humor member 29, which maycontain a small amount of iris coloring, to better effect a blending ofthe-coloring in the indentations 8A.

Another modification of our invention. will be found in Figure 23 of thedrawings disclosing combined sclera and iris units, wherein thetranslucent sclera 13 has a transparent outer covering covering 30closingor over the hole or recess 7A formed inthe sclera member 1B.' Theinner covering 30has a centralized hole 31. While this inner coveringpart 30 is preferably transparent, as pointed out later, it could betranslucent and made of the same material as the sclera-lB itself, or itcould be some other color to merge 7A. has tapered side walls 12B,tapering inwardly however in this instance. The above described partsform the sclera unit.

The iris unit in this construction is composed of a transparent corneamember 28A and a transparent lensmember 29A, the latter having on itsposterior face the simulation of an iris 8A and having a transparentpupil member 63 formed with a transparent handle 11A as shown anddescribed in reference to Figures 7 to' 13 inclusive.

The above so called sclera and iris units are combined into a unit andmay be detaohably connected together by 7 two bodies by the solvent to:such" an extent at their inter-face portions where-they slightlyFigure'2, thesame for the transparent pupil 6' for color matchingaccording to Figures 2 and 3. If such a sheet member 6A is found joinedto the posterior side 2B with a transparent inner with the colors of theiris. The recess.

11 emplacing the iris unit on the sclera unit from the anterior side ofthe scleraunit for color matching. Detachment of the iris and scleraunit in the color matching operation, including selecting and puttingtogether different ones of these parts, is performed by pressure on thehandle 11A and pushing the iris unit outwardly in the direction of theanterior side of the sclera unit. In this construction it will beobserved that no coloring has been applied in back of the transparentpupil members in Figures 22, 23 and 24, for purposes to be laterexplained. the iris member being made like the one explained inreference to the construction of Figure 22 as to colored parts.

Figure 24 illustrates the sclera unit of Figure 23, alone. In Figure 25there is illustrated in cross section a modification of construction ofiris unit adapted to be used with a sclera unit such as illustrated inFigure 22. In the unit of Figure 25 a colored transparent or translucentdisc 35 is used, having the color areas in simulation of an iris, on theanterior side 34 and the posterior side 36. The color simulation, orsimulations, of said sides may be indented, painted, or printed, that onthe anterior side 34 being intentionally more transparent than thecolored disc 35 plastic structure itself, whereby shadows will not beeast through the colored disc 35 upon the color simulation applied orcarried by the posterior side 36; otherwise the iris unit is similar tothe one described in Figure 22. The color simulations may be effected inthe same manner as those shown in Figures 7 and 9, or could 'bereversed.

Looking from the front of a completed eye prosthesis as seen in Figure1, and likewise in respect to the many modifications of the prosthesisconstructions as before set forth, it will be seen that there is amerging of the sclera 1 color with the iris colors, and additionallythere will be a dark band of iris color with an intermediate band oflighter iris color, and then an inner band of dark iris color mergingand blending the iris color with the small pupil member 6. There willalso be seen radial lines 8 and folds or ruffies 9 with depth of iriscolor in the lines 8 and folds or ruflies 9, thereby producingsymmetrical radiating and irregular concentric gleaming color effectsobtained by reflected color rays given off at different angles of theindentations 8 and 9 and originating from an irregular plane and blendedby other colors lying in another plane, thereby blending the lightabsorption. and reflection with depth of various iris colors as seen inthe iris of the human eye.

It will be understood that in every instance we contemplate that eachvisible posterior layer of coloring shall be less transparent than itsnext anterior layer, and that all the colors shall originate fromsubstantially the same plane and do not have material between them thatis more transparent than the anterior layer, wherefore all possibleshadows on the posterior layers are eliminated.

The above explains how the iris 5 will appear in a bright light, but aslight is reduced, the color rays are reduced and gradually the pupilmember 6 appears to enlarge or dilate due to the black color of thepupil 6D in back of the iris 5 and on the oblique joint 13 of thetransparent pupil member 6 and translucent iris 5. In some light coloredeyes the oblique joint need not have black color thereon as the opticalillusion is quite good the nearer the translucent iris 5 comes to beingtransparent, though it never becomes actually fully transparent.

As previously explained, a colored transparent member can becometranslucent if thickness is increased regarding its structure, and alsoa translucentmem-ber can become opaque if thickness thereof isincreased. This is true when there is light on both sides, but theeffect is increased as light is decreased on the posterior side. It isin the above manner and by the above action of color effects that weobtain different color changes by light rays in front and back of theiris 5 under difierent con- 7 a I v 12 ditions, and these can be socketfor color matching under different degrees of light prior totheunification of unit, something not heretofore achieved prior to ourpresent invention. It will be readily apparent from the foregoing that aperson having little experience in plastic construction or formation,without machinery, molds, or heating appliances, and who would notnecessarily have to be an artist in any way, can select for size andcolor,

assemble temporarily, match for color in the natural eyesocket, alter bycutting down, and finally unite permanently properly selected parts ofthe eye prosthesis, so asto produce a custom-made artificial eye. If acustomer or patient to whom the eye is to be fitted, is not satisfied,none of the parts used in the above procedural method would have to bedestroyed, and only the time of the Moreover, the procedure canprocedure would be lost. be followed employing a small stock ofartificial eye parts and would in no way involve the large amount ofguess-work that is necessarily practiced at the present time by theusual methods employed.

Should the iris parts shown in Figure 7 and in Figure 9 be originallysupplied without the coloring material applied thereto in the mannerhereinbefore described, it is quite evident that it would be within theskill of an ordinary person to apply the coloring material in theindentations 8 and 9 having only a knowledge of color mixing or matchingthe eye coloring and using a suitable solvent with different kinds ofcolored plastic. Likewise, as previously intimated herein, it ispossible to supply to the eye fitter and matching person the scleraparts 1 and 2 in separated condition as distinguished from thepreferable mode of supplying same as a unit, so that the vein lines 3,see Figure 1, could readily be applied by the person fitting theartificial eye, to-mat-ch the vein lines of the natural eye of theperson fitted, at the actual time when the fitting and matchingoperation is to be performed. We know of no eye prosthesis constructionsheretofore proposed in the art having the facility for handling andcapacity for accurate matching such as above referred to.

Figures 19, 21 and 27 show implant constructions forming a part of ourpresent invention, the implant illustrated being adapted to fit into theposterior part of the Tenons capsule 14 of the natural eye socket. Forthe performance of its required movements, it is necessary for theeyeball, or artificial eye implant, to rotate as freely and precisely asif it were mounted on bearings. Axle means, however, cannot well beused, of course, and, accordingly, the principle of mounting the eyeballor artificial eye implant of our invention for supporting the same in aneye socket is analogous to that of the use of the gimbal by which aships compass is mounted, allowing rotation of the compass in any planeabout a single central point. Generally speaking, the eyeball orartificial eye impant and its surroundings, when disposed in a naturaleye socket, may be compared with a ball and socket joint. Thesuspensions, according to our inven tion, are provided by the muscles16, and to a greater extent by a complicated system of ligaments andmembranes carrying fat in the interstices thereof, forming a packing.The artificial eye implant hereof is surrounded by a fibrous membrane,the capsule of Tenons 14 and .18. Except for its anterior part aroundthe cornea,.the capsule of Tenon 18 on its anterior portion,

forms with the bulbar conjunctiva 19 a coverfor the cornea in thenatural eye. This part of the bulbar conjunctiva is not salvaged for theartificialeye implant of our invention. The eyeball or artificial eyeimplant of our invention may bevmounted'so as to be susceptible ofmovement slightly Within the capsule of Tenon 14 and 18, but duringmovement of any great extent the capsule moves with the eyeball orartificial eyeimplant. The orbital connective tissue is, in places, sointimately connected with the capsule of Tenon 14 and 18 thatitcanchecked in the natural eye the iris unit with the scleranot remainperfectly still or immovable during eye movement of any material extent.The movements are caused by the contraction of one muscle and theexpansion of an opposite muscle. In order to secure movement by amuscle, one end of the muscle must be attached to the implant andmovable, and the other end will, of course, be fixed; also the tensionon the muscles connected with the implant must be equal in all practicalrespects when the eye prosthesis or the implant connected therewith arein what may be called the neutral or normal position.

The foregoing description of how the artificial eye implant issuspended, supported, and operates, is supplied for a betterunderstanding to the layman and artificial eye fitter of the objectivesof our present invention. It is contemplated that the surgical techniquerequired in carrying out our invention will involve the freeing of thebulbar conjunctiva 19 around the cornea of the eyeball, then slittingthereof to the extent that the eyeball can be passed through the slitportion, whereupon the anterior part of the Tenons capsule 18 is opened.Then the recti tendons of the eye muscles 16 are slit from the eyeballout into the cornea, and the superior and inferior oblique muscles aresevered from their attachments to the eyeball on the posterior side ofthe latter, referring to the original natural eyeball of the humanbeing. The eyeball is then removed in the usual manner.

The artificial eyeball or implant of our invention is of unique andnovel construction. As seen best in Figures and 16, this implantcomprises an anterior member or portion 33 largely consisting of a rimopen at the front portion, or, in other words, over the large centralarea, and having spokes 21 extending across said open portion andradiating from a central axis or hub portion having mountingprovision'for supporting the eye prosthesis in a detachable manner, aswill later be set forth. Each of the spokes 21 is formed with a seriesof transverse grooves. In addition to the rim, spoke, and hub elementsof the anterior portion of the implant, the implant includes asemi-spheroidal posterior hollow body having top, bottom, and sideopenings formed therein, designated 15, at a point adjacent that atwhich the posterior body joins the rim part of the implant. Forfacilitating its manufacture, the implant may originally be made in twoparts, one comprising the anterior section referred to as including theelements 33, 21, and the central hub having the polysided recess 24, andthe other composed of the semi-spheroidal posterior body. When these twomain portions of the implant are suitably molded they are connectedtogether by employing a suitable solvent for the plastic material,preferably used to connect them, the point of joinder being designatedin Figure 16 by the dotted line X. In the above way the two mainsections or portions of the implant are rendered integral, and, whenemployed for the purposes of the invention, the entire implant is asingle unit. It is noted also that the spoke and hub formation,including the spokes 21, protrudes forwardly from the rim section 33 ofthe implant so that the spokes 21 are actually curved or arc-shaped incross section, as seen best in connection with Figure 16, Figure 19, andFigure 21.

Having in mind the procedure previously described in regard to theremoval of the natural eyeball and its contents, for the purpose ofmounting an eye prosthesis and implant of our present invention in thenatural eye socket, the implant of Figures 15 and 16 can be introducedinto the natural eye socket after the manner depicted in Figures l9 and21 by the following surgical steps, which are suggested, allowing thesurgeon more room to work, in a restricted area. The outer extremitiesof the four rectus muscles 16, where they have been severed from theeyeball are folded inwardly and sutured so as to provide the loops atthe outer extremities thereof where they have been severed from theeyeball. Each of the four rectus muscles 16 is, therefore, provided withthe loop portion 20, the extremities of the muscles 16 being designed tobe united to adjacent portions thereof by natural healing and formingthe required adhesions incident to such heal} ing. Thus it will be seenthat the suturing of the muscles 16 is done before the implant is inplace, allowing more room for the surgeon to do this work.

Next, by tying a thread to each of the four loops 2%) of the muscles 16-and running said threads through the four holes 15 of the implant, saidthreads may be pulled upon as the implant is placed in the posteriorpart of the Tenons capsule 14, pulling the muscles 16 over the outerperiphery of the semi-spheroidal body of the implant and through theholes 15. Then the loop portions 20 of the muscles 16 are anchored bymeans of the pin hooks 17 which comprise a shankor stem member formed atits opposite ends with the hooks 17A and 17B, see Figure 17 the hook 173being smaller than the hook 17A. Each muscle loop 20 is anchored by itsindividual pin hook 17 after the muscle loop 20 is drawn through theopenings 15 into the hollow body portion of the implant. The wider hook17A is engaged with the muscle loop 20 after the manner depicted inFigures 19 and 21, and the narrower hook 17B of the pin book 17 isengaged preferably in the outer grooves 21A of the more adjacent one ofthe spokesv 21 of the implant. After the four muscles 16 have beenengaged by the pin hooks 17 to the outer grooves 21A they can be lateradjusted to better equalize the muscle 16 tension.

The anterior part of the Tenons capsule 18 and the central part of theremaining conjunctiva 19, which will overlie the anterior part of theimplant, may have small wedge-shaped segments thereof removed so that bysuitable suturing they can be drawn together tight against the anteriorface of the impl n tor dh n to h mselves, thus partly enclosing theimplant, as shown in Figures 19, 21, and 27, so that it cannot beextruded because the Tenons capsule 18 and the conjunctiva 19 aresutured together foradhesions and to a great extent overlie the anteriorpart of the implant and are not mechanically held inplace by suturingalone. An eye prosthesis somewhat larger than shown in Figure 21 can betemporarily attached to the implant to support the eyelids 23 and theconjunctiva 19 and 22 during healing. The eye prosthesis need not colormatch the other eye as it acts only as a temporary support and form.

The foregoing described operative procedure having been followed, asuitable dressing can be applied and removed upon the surgeons orders,for inspection of the adhesions and for the adjustment of the eyemuscles 16 for proper tension thereon. The latter adjustments beingaccomplished by moving the muscle pin hooks 17 to different positions onthe spokes 21 as respects the engagement of the hooks 17B in the grooves21A of the spokes 21, thus to give the implant staticand dynamicbalance, which is very difl'lcult to obtain in an operation.

Some of the advantages of this new implant of our invention are: (A)Suturing of the eye muscles 16 is done before implantation so these isno added obstruction while this operation is performed. (B) Means foradjustment of the tautness of the muscles, after the operation, aresupplied, thus eliminating any miscalculating that the surgeon mightmake in the operation, and avoiding the problem of possible slippagethat might take place in the suturing. (C) If, at a date later than thetime of completion of the surgical operation described, andhealing ofthe muscles, it develops that one muscle has a greater stretch thananother one, it is possible to change the tension of the muscles so asto ensure that the implant will move the same distance in oppositedirections. This may be accomplished by removal of the eye prosthesismounted on the implant as hereinafter described, such removal givingfull access to the location of the pin hooks 17 for the adjustmentsrequired. (D) The dispositions of the rectus muscles 16 and the anteriorpart of the capsule of Tenon 18 are substantially that of their originaldisposition in the natural eye, thus 1'5 allowing limited movement ofthe implant as in the natural eye.

It is notable in regard to the openings in the semispheroidal body ofthe implant that these openings may be provided somewhat posteriorly ofthe positions in which they are shown in Figure 16 and other figures ofthe drawings, to deal with the problem of interengag'ing loops ofshorter muscles than as depicted in the present drawings. Or again,there may be provided in the implant construction of Figure 16, anadditional set of openings such as 15 but located rearwardly of thelatter so that either set of openings, those forward or those disposedrearward, may be availed of by the surgeon at the time of the operation,depending upon the particular muscles that are being handled respectingthe length of the latter.

It has been found that fairly good eye movement for artificial eyepurposes, can be obtained Without utilizing the oblique muscles andheretofore they have been very ditficult to attach to an implant due tothe fact that they are located on the posterior side of the eyeball.However, with a hollow shell implant as shown in this application, openalmost completely on its anterior side, the oblique muscles may beattached through the holes .or openings at the front of the implant,between the spokes 21 at or near the points of natural attachment ofsaid muscles, and for this purpose pin hooks like those heretoforedescribed and designated 17 may be utilized for adjustment of theoblique muscles after the manner of the technique employed in regard tothe rectus muscles and presented fully above. 'The oblique muscles helphold the eye or implant forward more than they aid in eye movement andit would be advantageous to a better operation if they were attached andadjusted properly. The facility for the above handling of the muscleattachment is obviously due to the peculiar open formation of theanterior section of the implant. The above described method of utilizingour implant construction in conjunction with the oblique muscles is notillustrated in the drawings but is contemplated within the purview ofour invention.

A special advantage in respect to our invention lies in the fact thatwhere a patient has already been operated on for enucleation, the eyesocket can be reopened and the muscles separated wherethey have beensutured and partly grown together and a new implant selected anddisposed in the eye socket and thereafter reconnected with the rectusmuscles. Under such condition, since the muscles generally have grownshorter, the implant selected would be one in which the holes 15 aresomewhat rearward of the locations of the holes 15 according to theillustration of the implant of Figure 16 of the drawings. When employingthe implant having the holes 15 posterior to those shown in Figure 16,the axis ofthe implant is shortened in relation to the shortened musclesand since eye movement depends upon muscle contraction, the shorter themuscle 16 the shorter the contraction and this is a means ofcompensation for the employment of the shortened muscles in theprocedure described.

Figure 27 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of our implantconstruction, showing the implant in the Tenons capsule 18A of theeye-socket, with the rectus muscles 16 bent over the anterior rim 33A ofthe implant and looped at 20-A around the graduated grooved spokes 21B.Then the said muscles are sutured upon themselves for natural healingwith required adhesion, various muscle adjustments being obtainable byreason of the formation of the spokes 21B with a series of outwardly orradially situated relatively large grooves or notches on theirinner orrear sides. of muscle adjustment facility because the upper muscle islooped around the middle notch of theupper spoke 21B and the lowermuscle is looped around the outermost notch portion of the lower spoke21B. This muscle I, adjustment can be accomplished by an instrument suchas a shoe button hook, or 'the'like, inserted into the Figure 27illustrates the feature the pin 25 and unifying the same,

sutured loop 208 of the muscle 16, along side the spokes 21B and pulledinto new position for greater tension. With the anterior portion of theTenons capsule 18A bent over the anterior rim 33A of the implant, andwith the bulbar conjunctiva 19 extending inwardly of said outer rim 33Aas shown in Figure 27, the mounting of the implant in the eye-socket, asto the general procedure, is depicted completely by Figure 27, it beingunderstood that according to this modification of our invention theholes 15 as shown in Figure 16 on the posterior portion of the implantare dispensed with.

-Now in reference to our implant unit construction, it is notable thatthe same can be made smaller so as to fit inside the sclera instead ofthe Tenons capsule, thus utilizing the sclera and its. connectivetissues. The bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and iris, of the natural eye,can be removed at about the cornea-sclera border for evisceration of thesclera contents. Then the anterior parts of the sclera and Tenonscapsule also the bulbar conjunctiva, can be slit into four parts and theimplant inserted into the sclera, see Figure 28 which is a sectionalperspective view of a modification of the implant, showing the implantin the sclera 34 of the eyesocket, with the anterior portion of thesclera 34 and Tenons capsule 18B bent over the anterior rim 33B of theimplant. In this view the bulbar conjunctiva 19A extending inwardly ofthe said shading the same differently in different persons; This shadingof this iris 5 has a darkening effect on the iris 5 dependent upon theposition of the eyelids 23, as previously pointed out herein.

The artificial eye show in Figure 21 has been altered by cutting on theouter edges so as to fit properly in the eye socket and has .apolyhedrous pin 25 as shown in Figure 20 more clearly. The anterior faceof the pin 25 is black in order to simulate the pupil 6A or 6B,heretofore referred to and said pin is attached to the posterior side ofthe transparent pupil 6 forming a part of the iris pupil unit of theconstruction hereinbefore set forth. A solvent may be used forconnecting the members 6 and employing weight or The artificial eye orprosof course, detachably pressure for such purpose. thesis, as shown inFigure 21, is, connected to the implant, the latter having a polyhedroustapering recess 24, as shown in Figures 19 and 21. The extent ofprotrusion of the artificial eye or prosthesis, and

l its alignment with the natural eye of the person to whom theartificial eye is being fitted, are controlled by means of a washer 26,shown in Figure 18 and Figure 21, which washer is made wedge-shaped bybeing thickened in one direction from its axis as compared with itsthickness in the opposite direction toward its periphery. In lieu of thewasher shown in Figure 18 a flat washer may be employed if theprotruding effect of the prosthesis is only required to be used forobtaining best results. As shown in Figure 21, the thin part of thewasher 26 is uppermost and the thicker part is lowermost. Thisadjustment will tend to turn the axis of the prosthesis upwardly as isshown by the dot and dash lines 27 in Figure 21, the same tion it iscontemplated that one or more of the washers 26 may be employed wherebyto increase the degree of V protrusion of the prosthesis and also toobtain the proper artificial eye alignment with the naturaleye. Manyartificial eyes have a shrunken appearance, especially after they havebeen worn for some time, partly due to thepressure of the eyelids 23against the prosthesis. If this condition should arise in an eye madeaccording to our invention, all that is necessary is to add washers 26at a later date, thereby to restore the natural appearance mounting ofthe eye as carried by the implant, so it will protrude exactly to theextent of protrusion of the natural eye, thereby restoring the naturalappearance that may have originally been obtained.

The polyhedrous pin 25 has a round flat shoulder 25A adapted to engagethe washer 26 after the washer 26 has been turned to its proper positionfor aligning or protruding the eye prosthesis of the invention. Thewasher 26 or washers 26, as the case may be, can be attached to theshoulder 25A of the pin 25 by utilizing a solvent applied to one or bothor several members to unify them, or the washer can be attached to theimplant in the same manner.

A modification of the construction of our invention in Figure 21 isshown in Figure 26, which is a vertical sectional view of the combinedparts of Figure 23 wherein the extending handle 11A has been removed. InFigure 26 modification the pin 25 is shown having an enlargement 25B atits outer end, the anterior face of which is convex in order to fitagainst and conform to the concave posterior face of the artificial eyeprosthesis of the types such as illustrated in Figures 22 and 23. Thecombined members shown in Figure 26 are adapted to be detachably securedto an implant as shown in Figures 27 and 28 by means of the pin 25Aseated in the hole 24A of corresponding shape and positioned forwardlyby means of a washer or washers 26A; as seen in Figure 26, the washer26A is of long sleeve-like form. It may be made in different lengths soas to adjust the artificial eye properly against the eyelids 23 of theperson, as shown in Figure 21. As shown in Figure 26, the washer 26A isnot used to align the artificial eye with the natural eye, though suchaction could be accomplished by providing on the outer or rear end ofthe washer 26A a camming edge or end portion, if desired, or in thealternative using a thin wedge-shaped washer mountable on the posteriorend of the pin 25A similar to the washer construction of Figure 18.Another mehod of aligning the artificial eye with the natural eye is asfollows:

After the proper size and colored units of the sclera and iris have beenselected, the pin 25A can be placed in the hole 24A of the implant, andthe sclera unit without the iris unit, as shown in Figure 24, can beplaced in front of the implant and in front of the part 25B of the pin25A and in contact with the latter and moved until the hole 31 or recess7A, which latter the iris is to occupy, is in alignment with the othereye. Then the outline of the hole 31 can be marked on the anterior side25B of the pin 25A. If a sclera unit is used like that in Figure 22, theoutline of the hole that the iris unit will occupy can be marked in likemanner. Then the sclera unit and the pin 25A can be removed. Then byplacing the marked piece in its proper place a new marking can be madeon the inner or posterior face of the sclera unit around the pin 25A.The marking on the anterior face of the pin 25A can now be removed andthe unit may be united by cementing together with solvents, or heat andpressure.

It will be understood that the handle 11A need not be used as shown inFigure 23 but may be omitted from the transparent member 39. If thehandle member 11A does so protrude, it is cut olf and made flush withthe part 30 before combining the units with the pin 25A as abovedescribed.

Another method of aligning the artificial eye with the natural eye is bycombining the sclera unit with the iris unit, inserting the pin 25A inthe hole 24A of the implant, applying a cementing solvent on the innerface of the sclera and iris units, forming an artificial eye as showncombined in Figure 22, inserting the artificial eye in the eye socketand against the anterior base 25B of the pin 25A, and moving theartificial eye into alignment with the natural eye. After a few minutestime the parts will become set or unified with the artificial eye inalignment with the natural eye.

it will be understood that in respect to the last described or thirdmethod of alignment, the same is adapted to be used with theconventional type of artificial eye that is now on the market.

The dotted lines 38 shown on Figure 26 disclose how the pin 25A can becombined in a difierent position so as to align the artificial eye withthe natural eye when the pin 25A is inserted into the hole 24A ofFigures 27 and 28 implant construction. The combining referred to is, ofcourse, between the pin 25A at its enlarged portion 25B, and the concaveportion of the sclera and/ or pupil, sclera and iris unit. Also inFigure 26 the two dotted line sections 37 disclose how the artificialeye can be altered by cutting down to fit the eye socket shown inFigures 27 and 28, or said artificial eye altered as shown in Figure 21.

In Figures 22, 23 and 25 no black coloring is shown in back of thetransparent pupil member 613 and 6C. The coloring has been omitted so asto afford a pupil depth relatively far back away from the iris so as torender the eye more naturalistic, having in view that the pupil in anatural eye is not black, but transparent, and appears black due todepth and lack of light. It will be found that no color need be placedin back of the transparent pupil 6B and 60 members if light coloredmaterial is not used in making the hollow implant.

In Figure 26, a black coating 39 is shown applied on the posterior faceof the enlargement 25B of the pin 25A. This affords a construction inwhich the black pupil area is still farther back from the iris andtherefore at a greater depth than if the color matter were applied tothe rear face of the pupil members 6 or 6B as shown in certain of theunit constructions.

If desired the black coloring 39 seen at the back of the enlargement 243in Figure 26 may be extended or continued to surround the pin 25A, asshown in heavy lines.

While we have set forth that the various parts of the units forming apart of our invention may be assembled and unified by solvents, othermethods of unification are contemplated to be resorted to such as may bewell known in the art to which our invention relates.

Acrylic resins are the common plastic used for artificial eyes, havingmany advantages over other plastics, but some patients arehypersensitive to its use, reportedly as high as 1 out of 100.Incomplete polymerization is believed to be of importance in thedevelopment of such hypersensitivity. Therefore a process of manufactureusing only completely polymerized resins, where they come in contactwith the eye tissues has been developed and where solvents have beenused to unite the polymerized parts, they can be polymerized under theinfluence of heat, light, oxygen, and oxygen-yielding substances such asbenzoyl peroxide. Such process would be one which may be employed by usfor purposes of our invention herein set forth.

This invention is directed to an article of manufacture, and not to asurgical operation. As previously stated, we want only to aid thesurgeon and not direct him. Our specification and drawings state andshow the anterior part of the capsule of Tenon 18, slit and suturedaround the spokes 21 of the implant. Should it be desired that theTenons capsule not be slit, then only the conjunctiva 19 need beanchored around the spokes 21.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a combined iris and pupil unit for an artificial eye, comprising atranslucent iris colored disc in the form of a frustrum of a cone and atransparent pupil member of crusto-conical form centralized in saiddisc,

the smaller end of the pupil member facing toward the front side of theiris disc. 1

2. In a combined iris and pupil unit for an artificial eye, comprising atranslucent iris member having a transparent pupil member in the form ofa frustum of a cone and a removable handle on said pupil member forfacilitating engaging and disengaging the pupil member relative to theiris member. 7

3. In a combination iris and pupil unit for artificial eyes, comprisingseparable iris and pupil members, the improvement which consists of ahandle member on the posterior side of the pupil member to facilitatecombin ing and separation of the two said members.

4. An implant for artificial eyes, the same comprising a body havingmuscle connecting openings at its top, bottom and sides, the front partof which is largely open over most of the area thereof for facilitatingsurgery in the ocular cavity of a natural eye at the rear of theimplant, said implant having a central hub portion, and an eyeprosthesis having a pupil unit provided with a member for mounting sameon said hub portion of the implant.

5. An implant as claimed in claim 4, in which the prosthesis mountingmember is detachably mountable on the said hub portion, and wherein thehub portion is connected to the rim of the body by spokes spaced to formthe open front part.

6. In a combination iris and pupil unit for artificial eyes, comprisingseparable iris and pupil members, the improvement which consists of ahandle member on the posterior side of the pupil member to facilitatecombining and separation of the two said members, the iris member beingtapered at its edge portion, and a sclera member having a taperedopening therein conforming to, receiving, and in edge abutment with theiris member.

7. In an artificial eye, in combination, an implant comprising a hollowbody emplaceable in a natural eye socket and provided with side openingsthrough which muscles may pass into the body, said implant having mostof the area of its front portion open so that access may be had to thesaid muscles, and cross members at said anterior portion to connect withtachably mounted on the anterior portion of the implant, and meansdetachably connecting the prosthesis to the implant so the prosthesismay be removed to enable access through the body of the implant to themuscles connected to the latter.

8. The combination of claim 7, with separate connecting members on theanterior portion of the implant engaging the cross members musclesthereto and in positions rendered accessible by detachment of theprosthesis.

9. An implant for artificial eyes, the same comprising a body, theanterior part of which is largely open for facilitating surgery in theocular cavity of a natural eye at the rear of the implant, said implanthaving a central 20 hub portion, and an eye prosthesis connected to theimplant and having a pupil unit provided with a member for mounting sameon said hub portion of the implant, in which the mounting member of theprosthesis is pro vided with surrounding black coloration posterior ofthe pupil unit to impart depth of color to the latter, and the pupilunit is transparent.

10. An implant for artificial eyes, the same comprising a body, theanterior part of which is largely open for facilitating surgery in theocular cavity of a natural eye of the implant, said implant having acentral hub portion, and an eye prosthesis connected to the implant andhaving a pupil unit provided with a member for mounting same on said hubportion of the implant, in which the mounting member of the prosthesisis enrobed on its sides and rear end with black coloration and is seatedwithin the hub portion of the implant, the pupil unit being transparentanterior to the mounting member.

11. In a combined iris and pupil unit for an artificial eye, comprisinga colored thermoplastic disc simulating the color pattern of an iris, apupil opening in the iris filled with a transparent thermoplastic, saidopening being smaller on its anterior side than its posterior side, andpupil coloring on said transparent posterior side.

12. A combined iris and pupil unit for an artificial eye, comprising aplastic translucent disc simulating an iris, said disc having atransparent pupil in the-form of a frustum of a cone, with pupilcoloring material on the bottom of said transparent cone, and pupilcoloring maten'al'on the sides of the cone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS826,047- Muller July 17, 1906 1,763,312 Marcus June 10, 1930 1,979,321Dunner Nov. 6, 1934 2,391,305 Galeski Dec. 18, 1945 2,394,400 Noles Feb.5, 1946 2,466,780 Radin Apr. 12, 1949 2,497,872 Erpf et al. Feb. 21,1950 2,516,804 Rolf et al. July 25, 1950 2,551,781 Yuhas May 8, 19512,571,721 Jardon et al. Oct. 16, 1951 2,572,416 Wilson Oct. 23, 19512,593,150 Jardon Apr. 15, 1952 2,603,791 Jardon et al. July 22, 19522,603,792 Jardon et al. July 22, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 522,945 FranceApr. 11, 1921 OTHER REFERENCES Article from The Optician, vol. CIX, No.2812; pp. 37-40. Making Plastic Artificial Eyes, by J. H. Prince. (Copyin Division 55.)

